The MP for Islwyn, Chris Evans, has used an opportunity during Welsh Questions today to demand the government provide a ‘cast-iron’ guarantee that renewable energy projects in Wales will be funded by the UK Government once the UK has left the European Union.

Wales was expecting to receive £1.8bn in European Union funding between 2014 and 2020 but now that the UK is on course to leave, the future of this funding is in doubt. EU funds have already been used in Wales to support projects including those which protect and improve the environment.

Responding to the question, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales Guto Bebb MP said: ‘The tidal lagoon is being considered in its complexity and I am aware of no EU funding which was committed to the Tidal Lagoon and therefore I can offer no guarantees.’

Mr Evans said: ‘Now that the UK – and Wales included – has voted to leave the European Union, the funding we receive from the EU which could go towards large scale renewable energy projects such as the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon is under threat.

‘The government must do everything it can to ensure that Wales is not excluded from these kinds of opportunities as a result of leaving the EU. Much was said during the referendum campaign about all the extra money we would have to spend rather than send it to Brussels, but we need to see it here in Wales.

‘I am very disappointed that the Minister was unwilling to provide a cast iron guarantee that Wales will continue to receive funding for renewable energy projects.’